Step 7: Build a kickstand

Step 8: Name it

I used a western style font and made a stencil and spray painted the name on. Kabrit means goat in Haitian Creole.

I was inspired by this bike which is much more beautiful than the one I built. I built the bike in Haiti, with a minimum number of tools and ingredients. I would have posted this a couple months ago, but was delayed because as I was taping the stencil on the frame, Haiti was struck by 7.3 magnitude earthquake. Costs for this bike were $25 for the bike, about $10 for steel, and $5 for welding rods. With the seat tube change the frame is 17'' tall, I'm 6'2'' and it's not uncomfortable to ride and a friend who is about 5'6'' took a 20 mile ride on it recently and fared okay.

Step 1: Buy a bike

Find an old 20-inch BMX bike. I bought one on the street in Port Au Prince for $25 (I think I paid twice as much as it was worth). Try to find a bike that already has good brakes. My bike has a coaster brake in the back and cheap caliper brakes up front.

Step 2: Start building

Find or buy tubing to build the cargo rack. I used ¾ inch x 1/16 square tubing. I bought 20' of it for $7.50, I ended up using about 25'. Remove the cranks. Cut out the seat tube in order to weld it on top of the frame to extend the seat tube so that the bike will fit a whole person.

Step 3: Extend the seat tube

Cut a 12'' long piece of square tubing and slide it through the top tube down to the bottom bracket. Then slide the seat tube onto this piece.

Step 4: Seat tube gusset and main rack supports

Cut a diagonal gusset that goes from the seat tube to the top tube in order to reinforce the seat tube. Cut two pieces of square tubing to 56'' then clamp them to the sides of the bike frame.

Step 5: Weld

a simple 80 amp arc welder is enough for the job, I used 55-75 amps for this project. My father in law takes a turn (yes we do not have proper safety protection, yes we both got sunburned from welding this, since then I got a full face welding mask).

This was just the sort of bike I was looking for! I joined this site, partly for help, and partly to comment on your build. Very practical, simple and helpful. I've found a frame and forks on EBay for £12, which I've ordered. I hope to make mine electric, due to my age! If you see the Lorri, Biba, Donky and ODK bikes, you know you have done the right thing. Compact, with the weight down low. Well done.

Beautiful build. I love that you used parts and tools that are available around the world, and are not too income restricted. Little bike trucks like these solve so many issues all over the globe. Thanks for sharing!

@ bertus52x11 -- I like the idea of the smaller frame; it makes mounting/dismounting MUCH easier. I currently use an extra-large framed Raleigh MT 20 like it's a large parcel truck and I have a heck of a time getting on/off when it is fully loaded. I have to lean the bike and sometimes spill my cargo.

@depp.ben -- Have you thought about also raising the handlebars? From the pictures, I imagine you kinda leaned forward. Is this an issue? Other than that I LOVE this instructable!!!! I'm gonna start hacking my daughter's 20" bike as soon as she outgrows it! Thanks so much!!